Omega Optical is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of Rugate Technologies, Inc., a research and development company focused on the design, process development, and manufacturing of optical thin films. Formed in 1996, Rugate Technologies has expertise in the fabrication of narrow notch infrared filters, dual-band infrared coatings, and spectral control filters for high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic devices.

As part of the acquisition, Rugate Technologies co-founder Thomas D. Rahmlow, Jr. has joined Omega Optical in the role of Senior Scientist, bringing 30 years of experience in thin-film coating design and fabrication to Omega’s engineering team. Omega also added an E-Beam/Ion-Assist coating chamber specifically configured to MWIR and LWIR coatings.

About Rugate Technologies, Inc.

Rugate Technologies, Inc., founded in 1996, specializes in the R&D of high performance optical coatings and thin film devices. We work with our customers to develop designs and manufacturing processes for their specific applications and will then move the product into production here and/or transfer the process into the customer's facility.

What's New

Dual-Band Coatings for the Infrared

Rugate Technologies is under contract with the U.S. Army to develop dual-band (MWIR and LWIR) antireflection coatings (ARs), fold mirrors, beamsplitters, and cold filters for use in FLIR imagers. Substantial improvement in dual-band ARs has already been demonstrated on Ge, ZnSe, ZnS, BaF2, and AMTIR-1.

Narrow Notch IR Filters with Broad Field of View

Rugate Technologies has, under a contract with the U.S. Air Force, developed a technique for designing and manufacturing narrow notch IR filters with wider field of view than typically available. An 8% bandwidth notch filter can provide fixed wavelength laser reflection over a 160° field of view!

Research and Development

RTI develops unique, state of the art technology for the design and manufacture of high performance optical thin films. RTI's team is able to apply over 60 years combined experience in the rugate and discrete filter process development field as well as offer a capable interference filter and thin films laboratory.

Recent research programs have included:

United States Army: Dual Band Infrared Coatings

United States Air Force: Narrow Band High Reflectivity Optical Elements in the Infrared